Critical periods of fetal development by months

Normally, a woman has a future child 40 weeks, which is 10 obstetric months for 28 days. During this period the embryo makes a long and complex path, developing from two parental cells into an independent organism. Among the total duration of pregnancy, experts identified the most critical and at the same time critical periods of fetal development.

Stages of intrauterine growth

The midwives divide the period of bearing the child into two phases: embryonic and fetal. The first one begins from the moment of fertilization and ends at a period of 8 weeks, amounting to a total of 2 months. In the stage of embryonic fetal development, the following periods are distinguished:

• Blastogenesis - lasts from the moment of the fusion of female and male gametes to 2 weeks of pregnancy. At this time, the diploid cage advances through the uterine tubes to the uterus, after which it is introduced into its mucous membrane.
• Embryogenesis - is the term from 2 to 8 weeks of gestation, during which the formation of the placenta and organ rudiments occurs.

After two obstetric months, the fetal period begins, which lasts until delivery. Since then, the embryo is considered a fruit. An important feature of this time is organogenesis - the formation and development of all organs and systems of the body.

In the fetal period, the following stages are distinguished:

• Early (12-28 weeks) - the organs are already formed, now their cells differentiate, that is, they change their properties;
• Late (from 28 weeks to the date of delivery) - the tissue of organs continues to grow, the subcutaneous fat layer of the skin is formed.

The share of the first trimester (up to 13 weeks) is the main critical periods of fetal development.

Obstetrics 2-3 weeks

Most women do not even know about their "interesting" situation at this time, and the embryo has the first difficulties on the way to life. A little more than a week has passed since conception, and the diploid cell moves along the fallopian tubes to the uterus. On its way there can be obstacles: soldering or insufficient activity of ciliated epithelium. In this case, the embryo becomes impossible to enter the uterine cavity, which forces it to attach to the wall of the uterine tube. A pathological tubal pregnancy is developing.

Even if nothing prevents the embryo from moving forward, it should get into the uterus at the right time. With a slowed down way, an ectopic pregnancy will develop, and with an accelerated one, an egg will most likely die because of being unprepared for implantation.

Suppose the embryo has successfully crossed the path through the fallopian tubes and reached the uterine cavity at the right time. Now the fetal egg should attach to the organ wall. To do this, it is necessary that the uterus has a healthy epithelium, and the embryo itself was strong enough. At this stage, natural selection takes place: if the embryo is too weak or has developmental pathologies, the mother organism rejects it.

What factors are detrimental to embryo implantation?

Critical periods of fetal development begin almost immediately after fertilization. The recently formed embryo is very sensitive to environmental factors and the state of the mother's body. Specialists identify the following reasons that affect the process of implantation of the fetal egg:

• Individual features of the structure of the uterus;
• Spike as a result of operations on the internal genitalia;
• Tumors of the uterus and appendages;
• Severe psychoemotional condition;
• Physical stress, fatigue;
• Use of alcohol and drugs, smoking;
• Taking certain medications;
• Endometrial diseases.

In the risk factor are women who have a history of abortion, miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies.

Critical periods of intrauterine development of the fetus require special attention from the future mother. If pregnancy was not planned, at this time there is little that can be done without knowing your situation. Otherwise, the woman should carefully prepare for the conception: to undergo examination, to cure the existing diseases of the genitourinary system, not to burden herself with unnecessary work and take care of emotional stability and comfort.

Risks on a period of 4-7 weeks

The embryo successfully attached to the uterine wall and continued its development. Of the two embryonic leaves , the fetus and placenta will form. It would seem that the most difficult stage in the life of the embryo is behind, but no. Critical periods of development of the embryo and fetus reappear on obstetric terms of 4-7 weeks. The future mother already knows about her situation.

There is an active development of the embryo: the rudiments of organs and systems are formed. At this stage, the embryo is very sensitive to the external environment, the risk of developmental pathology is high. A pregnant woman should carefully listen to the advice and warnings of doctors and take care of themselves: even an easy cold can call into question the bearing of the child.

Critical period of 8-12 weeks

At this time, the influence of external factors on the development of the embryo is one of the main dangers. Meanwhile, changes in the mother's body that are actively tuned to bear fruit are also important. Formed after ovulation, the yellow body produces progesterone, which contributes to the development of pregnancy. By the 12th week it "transfers" its functions to the placenta. This is a very risky moment, because the amount of the hormone may not be enough for further gestation. Having registered with a gynecologist, this is easily avoided: with the help of laboratory tests, the progesterone values are kept under control.

For the formation of the placenta it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, to eat in a balanced manner. Any medicines should be taken only with the permission of the doctor and under his supervision.

Risk factors in the first trimester

The main critical periods of fetal development of the fetus by the months fall to the first trimester. At the initial stage, the embryo is weak and the woman is in the role of mother. Any external influence calls into question the life of the embryo. To once again not to expose pregnancy to risk, doctors recommend to beware:

• Reception of medicines - the contents of the first aid kit will have to be carefully reviewed. For example, as an antipyretic and anesthetic, only paracetamol is allowed, and acetylsalicylic acid should be forgotten, as well as preparations based on it (analgin, aspirin). As an antispasmodic, use no-shpa (drotaverine). Among antibiotics only penicillin series are allowed.
• Medicinal herbs and traditional medicine - most medicinal fees, teas are forbidden for admission during pregnancy and lactation. Before using such drugs, it is better to consult a doctor.
• Stresses, psychoemotional disorders - the mother's condition directly affects the baby, which is most dangerous in the first months of pregnancy.
• Physical loads - do not exhaust yourself at work or carry weights. A future mother needs rest and reasonable motor activity;
• Use of alcohol, drugs, smoking - toxic effects of poisons cause serious pathologies in the development of the embryo.
• Infectious diseases - any virus can seriously damage the fetus.

Critical periods of development of the embryo and fetus require special care from the mother. If you do not neglect the recommendations of a doctor and take care of yourself, judiciously limiting everything harmful and dangerous, the most difficult first months of pregnancy will be successful for both the mother and the child.

Term 18-22 weeks

What critical periods of fetal development wait after the first trimester? The fifth or sixth month of pregnancy (18-22 weeks of gestation) is considered as equally important. During this period, the uterus is actively growing, accelerating the rate approximately 2-fold. Diseases of the mother are not so dangerous for the child, but still undesirable. Worst of all this period is to catch infectious STDs (herpes, toxoplasmosis, chlamydia, ureaplasmosis). However, this happens rarely, especially if the woman has only one permanent sexual partner.

The period is also risky for women with ischemic-cervical insufficiency (ICS). This is a condition in which the cervix and isthmus do not cope with the increasing load on them. As a result, premature opening occurs, which often leads to spontaneous miscarriages. However, if a woman is under the supervision of a doctor, the pathology is diagnosed in time. Carry out a mini-operation: the cervix is suture under local anesthesia. This allows you to bring the child to the full term of pregnancy.

Critical periods of fetal development at the interval of 18-22 weeks of gestation require careful medical supervision. The woman still needs to protect herself from infections, physical stress and stress. But this time is not so dangerous for the baby, and if the future mother is responsible for visits to the gynecologist, it is easy to survive without consequences for the health of the fetus.

Risks in the eighth month of pregnancy

At the period of 28-32 weeks, the next critical periods of fetal development occur. Obstetrics notes that this time is not less important for the health of the child. The danger is premature birth process or pregnancy fading, which is usually due to hormonal disorders in the mother's body. Possible complications, such as placental abruption, late toxicosis and placental insufficiency. All this can lead to the death of the fetus before delivery or a halt in its development.

If there is a history of a woman experiencing miscarriage, control of the pregnancy should be kept especially carefully. Ahead is not so much time, so you need to make every effort to inform the child at least up to 38 weeks. It is often recommended hospitalization in an obstetric hospital.

Individual critical deadlines

Above, the main critical periods of fetal development for weeks of gestation were considered. It is at this time that the most difficult situations arise that threaten the life and health of the embryo. But each organism is individual, therefore doctors allocate also other dangerous periods of pregnancy. These include the weeks during which:

• There was a miscarriage or an abortion;
• There was a threat of miscarriage in a woman's previous pregnancies;
• There was an excessive physical or psycho-emotional load;
• The woman had menstruation after conception.

This includes the period after the future mother suffered the disease.

What you need to know about the "dangerous" period of pregnancy?

If a doctor has identified a woman as a risk group, during critical periods, one should adhere to bed rest and sexual rest or even hold them in an obstetric hospital under the supervision of specialists around the clock. In case of occurrence of even one of the alarming symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor:

• Pain in the sacrum, in the lower abdomen;
• Discharge from the vagina (smearing, bloody, brown);
• Suspicion of the disappearance of signs of pregnancy;
• Absence of stirring or fetal activity in the last trimester;
• Allocation of amniotic fluid.

How to successfully survive the critical deadlines?

Critical periods of fetal development and their characteristics warn the future mother of the possible risks and factors of their occurrence. Having learned about pregnancy and having decided to keep it, it is necessary to approach responsibly to the tempo of your life. Avoiding trouble is much easier if a woman regularly visits a doctor, fully nourishes and rests. All the hard work will have to be entrusted to the other members of the family, to the maximum unloading their day. It will also be necessary to protect ourselves from harmful factors (sources of infections, useless and dangerous products, toxic substances).

Critical periods of intrauterine development of the fetus are the most dangerous time during which the embryo is most susceptible to the effects of the environment. At these times, there are malfunctions in the maternal organism, which often lead to miscarriage or fading of pregnancy. Do not brush aside the "dangerous" periods. Fulfilling all the prescriptions of doctors and protecting themselves in these difficult weeks, a woman will not only survive them successfully, but will also significantly increase the chances of giving birth to a strong and healthy baby in time.